School of Music > Faculty & Staff > Faculty by Department > New Faculty 2025-2026 Academic Year

New Faculty 2025-2026 Academic Year

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Six-time Grammy-winning recording and mixing engineer Ryan Freeland joins the DePaul School of Music faculty as ​​Director of the Sound Recording Technology program in the fall of 2025.​

Ryan Freeland
The DePaul University School of Music is proud to announce that six-time Grammy-winning recording and mixing engineer Ryan Freeland​ will join its faculty as Director of the Sound Recording Technology (SRT) program. He will begin his role in the fall of 2025, after founder and current director Professor Tom Miller retires at the end of this academic year in June 2025.

“I’m incredibly excited to join this wonderful community of DePaul University and be a part of educating the next generation of engineers and producers,” says Ryan Freeland.  “Bringing all my experience and passion to DePaul’s students is a privilege and responsibility I take very seriously. It’s an honor to be associated with the stellar reputation of what I consider to be the best music/recording school in the country.” 

As an independent engineer, Ryan employs his own unique sound for notable producers and artists, including Bonnie Raitt, Aimee Mann, Ray LaMontagne, Natalie Merchant, Joe Henry, Lizz Wright, Meshell Ndegeocello, Loudon Wainwright III, and Ramblin' Jack Elliott. He has earned the nickname "The Wizard" for bringing out the best in performances and depth in sonics. This skill has won him six Grammy Awards and four personal Grammy nominations for Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical.

"The Sound Recording Technology program figures prominently in the School of Music's strategic growth plans," says John Milbauer, dean of the School of Music. "We are thrilled that Ryan will bring not only extraordinary industry experience but also a commitment to share the skills and know-how that have made him successful. Ryan is the perfect person to build on the excellence established by founding SRT Director, Professor Tom Miller, and we can't wait to see where his vision leads us."

Before becoming an independent engineer, Ryan worked with renowned mixing engineer Bob Clearmountain in his Los Angeles studio "MIX THIS!" where he worked on numerous projects with iconic artists, including Bruce Springsteen, The Rolling Stones, Counting Crows, Tori Amos, and Lisa Loeb. As in independent engineer he established his reputation by always delivering the highest quality sound, focusing on the artist’s vision, and delivering work that captured the attention of the industry. Ryan also served as the Chief Engineer at Warner Chappell Production Music, where he played a pivotal role in finalizing the company's new recording studio on Hollywood Blvd. His work on the corporate side of music allowed him to develop his ability to deliver high-quality sound under tight deadlines and immense pressure.

Ryan and his wife live in Lincoln Park with their two young children, where he has a state-of-the-art Dolby ATMOS mix room, complete with a 32-channel tracking space. Situated close to the Holtschneider Performance Center, Ryan is already engaged with students, having taught masterclasses previously and co-teaching immersive audio this spring in collaboration with Professor Tom Miller. 

In closing, Ryan states, “When I think about DePaul University and the City of Chicago, I think about the highest quality music and recordings that will last for generations. Being a part of that history and legacy is important and meaningful. A recording is forever, and engineers should document music with all the skills and talent we can muster.”

Melissa Kraut

The DePaul University School of Music is proud to announce that Melissa Kraut, most recently co-chair of the Cleveland Institute of Music cello program for 19 years, will join its faculty as Professional Lecturer of cello. She will accept students into the cello studio for the fall of 2025 and take over the studio leadership as esteemed Professor Stephen Balderston retires in June 2025. 

"Learning flourishes in an environment of dignity, professionalism, compassion, and safety. From the moment I set foot on the campus of DePaul, I felt a resonant harmony with the community and immediately recognized this as a special place where students thrive," said Kraut. "Joining Dean Milbauer and the exceptional faculty and staff of the DePaul University School of Music is a deep honor. I look forward to building new relationships within the DePaul community. Returning to Chicago brings me home to the city where I first developed my musical voice, and I'm excited to give back to the place where it all began."

Melissa Kraut is recognized as one of the leading pedagogues of her generation. Having developed and trained some of today's outstanding young musicians, she has demonstrated a unique ability to teach all ages and stages of dedicated students, helping them reach their highest potential both at and away from the cello.

School of Music Dean John Milbauer expressed great excitement in welcoming Melissa Kraut to the faculty. "We are thrilled to welcome Melissa Kraut to our faculty at DePaul! Melissa’s extraordinary abilities in shaping the lives of young artists will enrich our faculty and support a primary strategic objective of expanding the excellence of our ensembles. She is the perfect person to build on the studio environment created by Steve Balderston, both nurturing and professional. Not only does she understand music and teaching; she understands people, and that is invaluable to all of us at DePaul.” 

With degrees from the Cleveland Institute of Music, the University of Iowa, and Northwestern University, Kraut has had the opportunity to study with the great pedagogues Alan Harris and Hans-Jorgen Jensen, as well as summer study/master classes with cellists such as Aldo Parisot and Frank Miller, Yo-Yo Ma, Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi and David Soyer. As a student, she participated in the Aspen Music Festival, Banff Center for the Arts, and the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival in Europe.

Melissa Kraut has led a diverse career on stage, with solo and chamber performances throughout the United States, Europe, China, and Cuba. She has appeared most recently at festivals such as El Paso Pro Musica, Northwest Bach Festival, Sitka Music Festival, Eureka Chamber Music, and as a performer at many summer festivals.  

Melissa Kraut's students have achieved great success, with top prizes in International, National, and Regional competitions. Students of Dr. Kraut have won the Gold Medal and Audience Award at the Gaspar Cassado Competition in Hachioji, Japan, Gold Medal at the Carlos Prieto Competition, Semi-Finalists at the Sphinx Competition, Grand Prize in the Music Teachers National Association Competition, First Prize in the American String Teacher's Association, Grand Prize in the Walgreen's Competition, Grand Prize in the Fischoff Competition, as well as awards at the Banff Chamber Music Competition, Melbourne Chamber Music Competition, Hudson Valley Competition, Klein Competition and more. 

Melissa Kraut's former students make up members of orchestras such as the Indianapolis Symphony, the Principal of the South Carolina Symphony, the North Carolina Symphony, US Army Strings, and the Knoxville Symphony, as well as orchestras in Europe and China. Other former students hold positions in notable quartets, artistic leadership positions, and as teachers at all levels.  

Melissa Kraut's joining the School of Music faculty marks the end of an era in the string area. Stephen Balderston will retire after 25 years of remarkable service to his students and the School of Music. “Prof. Balderston’s extraordinary contributions to the School of Music over two and half decades are immeasurable,” said Milbauer. “He has had a positive influence on countless students, demonstrating that being a world-class musician and a great colleague go hand-in-hand. We are saying ‘Auf wiedersehen’ rather than ‘Goodbye’”!  

Learn more on the Cello Studio Page

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